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Started Feeling Dizzy And Fainted After Donating Blood. Why Am I Feeling This?
Question: Hi,
Yesterday I donated blood in the donation camp organised in my office, it was the first time I was donating blood and I was a bit uncomfortable and afraid. After donation I rested for about 15 mins and had some fruits (it was around 10 am and I had not taken breakfast properly). When I came back to my seat in my office I felt dizzy and fainted. Doctor came and I was given some medication and liquid diet. I felt better and is fine afer that. I just want to know why it happened to me whereas my friends were very fine with it. I have no previous ailments under no medication.
Thanks,
XXXXXXX
Yesterday I donated blood in the donation camp organised in my office, it was the first time I was donating blood and I was a bit uncomfortable and afraid. After donation I rested for about 15 mins and had some fruits (it was around 10 am and I had not taken breakfast properly). When I came back to my seat in my office I felt dizzy and fainted. Doctor came and I was given some medication and liquid diet. I felt better and is fine afer that. I just want to know why it happened to me whereas my friends were very fine with it. I have no previous ailments under no medication.
Thanks,
XXXXXXX
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Hi XXXXXXX,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic and thanks for your question...
Firstly, I appreciate you for taking the initiative to donate blood and be of great service to others.
What you have experienced at the blood donation camp is likely to be a 'vasovagal syncope'. This is a transient fainting attack which can be caused in some persons due to physical and psychological stress, painful or unpleasant stimuli, seeing blood or disturbing images, excessive anxiety / fear, hunger, dehydration, etc.
The reasons for your dizziness and fainting could be due to a combination of factors. Some people can generally experience mild symptoms of dizziness or tiredness for a short while after blood donation. This is common and this is the reason donors are always asked to rest for sometime and then leave. In your case, you say that you did not have breakfast properly that day, which could have compounded the symptoms. Moreover, you have mentioned that since this was your first time, you were afraid and anxious before the procedure. This pre-existing anxiety, along with the process of seeing blood withdrawl could have also added on to your problem and made you faint.
I don't think you have to worry about this episode or have any further evaluation for this. Just drink plenty of fluids and fruit juices, have regular meals and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Wish you all the best.
- Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Welcome to Healthcare Magic and thanks for your question...
Firstly, I appreciate you for taking the initiative to donate blood and be of great service to others.
What you have experienced at the blood donation camp is likely to be a 'vasovagal syncope'. This is a transient fainting attack which can be caused in some persons due to physical and psychological stress, painful or unpleasant stimuli, seeing blood or disturbing images, excessive anxiety / fear, hunger, dehydration, etc.
The reasons for your dizziness and fainting could be due to a combination of factors. Some people can generally experience mild symptoms of dizziness or tiredness for a short while after blood donation. This is common and this is the reason donors are always asked to rest for sometime and then leave. In your case, you say that you did not have breakfast properly that day, which could have compounded the symptoms. Moreover, you have mentioned that since this was your first time, you were afraid and anxious before the procedure. This pre-existing anxiety, along with the process of seeing blood withdrawl could have also added on to your problem and made you faint.
I don't think you have to worry about this episode or have any further evaluation for this. Just drink plenty of fluids and fruit juices, have regular meals and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Wish you all the best.
- Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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